SB 359 
.R7 
Copy 1 



Immature Citrus Fruit 

BY 

R. E. ROSE 

State Chemist 
BEFORE THE 

CITRUS SEMINAR, GAINESVILLE, 
FLORIDA 

OCTOBER 17-20, 1916 







By Transfer 

NOV 25 1916 



IMMATURE CITRUS FRUIT 

By E. E. KosE, State Chemist, before the Citrus Seminar, 
Gainesville, Florida, October 17-20, 1010. 

Gentlemen : 

This subject probably has been discussed more fre- 
quently by the grower, shipper and consumer of citrus 
fruit during the past twenty years than any other sub- 
ject, affecting the production and marketing of citrus 
fruit. 

It became the subject of discussion by the citrus grow- 
er, the agricultural press, and trade journal before the 
great freezes of Florida and California, at which time 
the crops of citrus fruit in each state had become of large 
size— some 5,000,000 boxes in Florida and some S.000,000 
boxes in California. For some years after these freezes 
the crop being small, far le^s than the demand, there was 
little, if any, immature citrus fruit sent to market, hence 
the quality of the fruit was seldom questioned. 

However, when the crop again reached 5,000,000 boxes 
in Florida, with a proportionate increase in California, 
the problem of marketing and distribution became acute. 

The natural desire to get the fruit into the market in 
advance of a possible freeze, by which the fruit at least 
would be made unfit for market, with the possibility of 
serious damage to the groves, and shortening the crop for 
several years to come; the temptation to ship the fruit 
as early as the market would accept them irrespective of 
quality was great, hence the shipment of immature fruit 
became general, particularly by shippers who had pur- 
chased crops on the trees — often with a clause in tlie con- 
tract recjuiring the purchaser to remove the entire cro]> 
from the trees at a fixed date, generally by January 1 ; 
sometimes earlier. 



Tlie flooding of the market with this fruit, largely im- 
uiatiire and undesirable, early in the season necessarily 
had the effect of destroying the reputation for excellence, 
formerly enjoyed by the Florida oran-ge. 

In order to deceive the consumer as to ripeness and 
desirability, it became a common practice to "sweat" 
green, or immature oranges, thus simulating ripeness or 
maturity. It was soon discovered that green fruit shipped 
in an unventilated car "Released, Vents Closed and Plugs 
In," thus affording ''a warm moist atmosphere" would 
arrive at destination, some six to ten days later, yellow 
and apparently mature. 

This abuse became so common when the Florida and 
California crops reached large proportions, as to demand 
some action by our national pure food otiflcials, who, after 
investigation, declared that: 

"There is evidence to show that the consump- 
tion of such immature oranges, especially by 
children, is apt to be attended by serious dis- 
turbances of the digestive system." 

This fact, however, was generally accepted prior to the 
issuance of F. I. D. No. 133, April C, 1911, by the national 
pure food authorities. 

This ruling by the national authorities was quickly 
followed by the State of Florida; on June 5, 1911, the 
Florida "Immature Citrus Fruit Act" became a law; in 
response to a practically universal demand by the orange 
•growers of the State, and that of many shippers inter- 
ested in maintaining the quality, reputation and market 
value of Florida oranges, and was bitterly opposed, I am 
pleased to say, only by a few notorious "Green- Fruiters" 
and speculators, who had little or no interest in the gen- 
eral welfare of the industry. Its constitutionality was 
questioned by those interested in the shipment of "Imma- 
ture Citrus Fruit," carried to the Florida Supreme Court, 
and the law sustained, as reported in the case of Sligh 



vs. Kirkwood, Sheriff, reported February 7, 1913. G5 
Florida, page 123. This judgment was affirmed on appeal 
to the r. S. Supreme Court, April, l^U. 

It will be noted that in F. I. D. No. 133, and in the 
Florida "Immature Citrus Fruit LaAV of 1011" no stand- 
ard was fixed for determining the maturity of oranges. 
However, in both cases, "Immature Oranges" were de- 
clared unwholesome and unfit for consumption. 

Necessarily, the question — "^A'hen is an orange mature 
and wholesome?" became immediately one of great public 
interest in the orange producing states. It is Avell known 
that immature citrus fruit, after removal from the tree, 
though it may be artificially colored by "holding in a 
warm, moist atmosphere for a short period of time," or 
shipment in an unventilated car, does not, as in the case 
of deciduous fruits, ripen ; that such immature oranges 
"do not change in sugar or acid content after removal 
from the tree" and are not prone to decay, rather to 
desicate or "dry up." 

It can be readily perceived that some simjde method, 
easily and quickly applied, one that could be applied b}- 
any one — grower, shipper or reeciver — one that would 
positively determine the degree of ripeness, irrespective 
of color, became necessary. 

HencCj a standard, fair to all jiarties — the gr-ower, the 
shipper, the receiver, and particularly to the consumer — a 
reliable and accurate standard, (piickly applied by any 
intelligent man or woman, not recpiiring great skill, tech- 
nical training, or expert knowledge to apply, was de- 
manded, a legal standard fixed by authority, for The 
guidance not only of the Inspector, but also for the 
grower and shipper. 

This problem of devising such a standard was delegated 
by the Agricultural Department of Florida to a com- 
mission of eminent scientists, trained horticulturists, 



specialists in orauge gi-owiug and marketing, clieuiists. 
and business men. 

This commission was appointed by the Commissioner of 
Agriculture of Florida in June, 1912, and met July G, 
1912, at the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, 
and assigned to its various members different ]>l)ases of 
the problem submitted. 

After several sessions and much correspondence, this 
Commission prepared a report of their conclusions and 
presented the same to a largely attended convention of 
Florida orange growers, convened by the authority of the 
Florida Agricultural Department, at the State Fniversity 
at Gainesville, August 15, 1912. 

This convention unanimously adopted the .standard for 
oranges recommended by the Commission as follows: 
"If this chemical analysis shows the percent- 
age by weight of the total sugar, as invert sugar, 
to be seven times, or more, than the weight of 
the total acid, as citric acid, the fruit shall be 
deemed mature." 
This standard now generally known as the '"Florida 
Standard,'- I am pleased to say has been adopted by 
the National Bureau of Chemistry and by the National 
Association of Food, Drug and Dairy Officials, slightly 
modified as to terms, in order that the '"test" or ''analy- 
sis" can be readily and quickly applied in the field or in 
the laboratory. The standard now adopted by the 
National Food and Drug authorities, and by many of the 
Food Officials and Health Officers of the Nation, is that : 
"All mature oranges shall contain not less 
than eight parts of total solids to one part of 
total acid, calculated as citric acid, without 
water of crystalization ; and that 

"All mature grapefruit shall contain not less 
than seven parts of total solids to one part of 



acid, calculated as citric acid, without water of 
crA'stalizatiou." 

It will be noted that one part crystalized citric acid 
to seven parts of total sugar, as invert, is practically 
identical with the standard now universall}^ adopted. It 
can readily be applied by any one, not color-blind, with 
a few inexpensive instruments and reagents, thus obtain 
ing the information necessary, without the tedious and 
expensive sugar determination, requiring a chemical labo- 
ratory and a trained chemist. 

It will be readily perceived that total solids include 
acids, hence seven })arts sugar is practically identical to 
eight parts total solids. 

Much time, labor and study has been devoted to this 
problem by the U, S. Bureau of Chemistry in California 
and in Florida, also by the Laboratories of the Universi- 
ties and Experiment Stations and State Laboratories of 
these States, as well as by several reputable commercial 
laboratories in these, and other States, all of which agree 
that the standard fixed by the Florida Commission is 
equitable and fair alike to the grower and the shipper, 
and the consumer. 

Since the unanimous adoption of the standard by the 
National Association of Dairy, Food and Drug Officials, 
at Berkeley, California, August 2-5, 1915 ; the Health and 
Food Officials, Chambers of Commerce and Boards of 
Trade of many states, particularly those in which large 
distributing points are situated — New York, Chicago, 
Cincinnati, St. Louis, Denver and others — have adopted 
the standard and decline to accept delivery of fruit which 
does not comply with the National standard; and have 
destroyed large quantities of citrus fruit that has failed 
to pass the standard required, not only in car lots and 
cargoes, but have followed and attached the fruit in the 
possession of the retail dealer. 



Two cargoes of Porto Kican grapefruit (windfalls from 
the recent storm) were condemned and destroyed by the 
Health OflBcers of New York, recently. This has resulted 
in a notice by the New York Chamber of Commerce to the 
Porto Eican and other foreign shippers, that hereafter 
delivery w^ould not be accepted of fruit that failed to pass 
the National and state standards. Citrus fruit, therefore, 
can not be shipped from these localities until certified as 
mature by an official chemist at the shipping point. 

Tlie time is rapidly approaching when all contracts for 
deliver}- of citrus fruit will be conditional upou its 
"passing the test" of maturitj' on arrival at destination. 
Eeceivers, commission and auction houses, brokers and 
dealers, wholesale and retail, will not assume the risk of 
the loss of the fruit by condemnation. The work of in- 
spection has been greatly facilitated and improved. 

The fact that a shipper can not now ship "Eeleased, 
Vents Closed and Plugs In" without calling attention to 
his evident desire to "sweat" the fruit in transit ; nor 
prevent State or National Inspectors from obtaining this 
information from the railroad agents, has had a wonder- 
ful retarding effect on the "Green Fruiter," a very few of 
whom still try to operate and occasionally get off a car 
from some lonely siding, packed and shipped at night, 
and, I am credibly informed, not billed as citrus fruit. 

The act of 1010, amending the Interstate Commerce 
Act, provides as follows: 

r. S. ACTS OF 1910. 

Chapter 309 — To amend. An Act to regulate 
commerce. (The Interstate Commerce Law). 

Section 10. Any person, corporation, or com- 
pany, or any agent or officer thereof, who shall 
deliver property for transportation to any com- 
mon carrier * * * or for whom, as con- 



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signer or consignee, any such carrier shall trans- 
port property, who shall knowingly and will- 
fully, directly or indirectly, himself or by em- 
ployee, agent, officer, or otherwise, by false bill- 
ing, false classification, false Aveighing, false 
representation of the contents of the package, or 
the substance of the propert}' * * * \\liether 
with or without the consent or connivance of 
the carrier, its agent, or officer * » * shall 
be deemed guilty of fraud, which is hereby de- 
clared to be a misdemeanor, and shall, upon 
conviction thereof, be subject, for each offence, 
to a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars or 
imprisonment in the penitentiary for a term of 
not exceeding two years, or both, in the discre- 
tion of the court : 

Section 12. Provided, That nothing in this 
act shall be construed to prevent the giving of 
such information in response to any legal pro- 
cess issued under the authority of any state or 
Federal Court, or to any officer or agent of the 
Government of the United States, or of any 
State or Territory, in the exercise of his powers, 
or to any officer or other duly authorized person 
seeking such information for the prosecution of 
persons charged with or suspected of crime; 
•X- * 4f j^^^^^ person * * * violating any 
of the provisions * * * of this section, shall 
be guilty of a misdemeanor, and for each offense, 
on conviction, shall pay to the United States a 
penalty of not more than one thousand dollars. 
Those two amendments to the Interstate Commerce 
Act have had a wonderful deferent effect upon the ship- 
ment of unlawful goods by means of false statements as 
to kind or class of material shipped and also afford 
officials, State and National, means to promptly ascer- 



10 



lain all facts as to the point, aud date of shipment, name 
of consignor and consignee, car initial, number and rout- 
ing, thu8 affording an opportunity to fix the responsi- 
bility for the shipment of all unlawful goods, not only 
immature citrus fruit but numerous others. Citrus fruit 
is by no means the only class of fruit or vegetable and 
other farm products now demanding laws aud regulations 
to prevent their shipment in an immature condition — 
notably the canteloupe and celery growers, shippers and 
consumers are uoav demanding law.s and regulations to 
prevent this deception and abuse. Particularly are 
brokers and consignees declining to accept delivery and 
pay for goods that do not conform to the National and 
State standards fixed by law. 

I am pleased to say that most of tlie larger shippers 
of the State, handling most of the citrus crop, are now 
in full accord with the National and State authorities, 
and are upholding the law and aiding in its enforcement. 
The fertilizer. Feed Stuff and Food and Drug Laws, 
which at first met with the active opposition of the man- 
ufacturers and dealers, are now recognized by the legiti- 
mate manufacturer and dealer in honest goods as their 
best protection against the dishonest competition of the 
manufacturer or dealer in inferior or adulterated goods. 

It will be noted that previous to the season of 1914-15, 
when the law liad been declared constitutional by the 
Supreme Courts of the State and Nation, and the adop- 
tion of the Florida Standard by the National autliorities; 
but little was accomplished in preventing tl)e shi]iment of 
immature fruit by State officers. The shipment of citrus 
fruit being practically exclusively interstate, the State, 
vxithout the co-operation of the National authorities, was 
seriously handicapped, hence the shipment of 000 cars 
of grapefruit prior to November 5, 101.'! — thus flooding 
the markets with inferior fruit to the disgust of the con- 
s, inei- ;ind demorilization of the market, which did not 



It 



recover uutil very late in the seasou — to the great fiuan- 
cial loss of the grower and legitimate shipper. 

However, during the season of 1914-15, owing to the 
hejutj co-operation of the National authorities but 90 
cars of grapefruit had left the State when the season 
closed, November 5, while there was but little complaint 
of immature oranges. These facts are well known to 
the 'grower and shipper, hence the general approval of the 
law and demand for its enforcement by all except a few 
notorious "Green Fruiters," who still persist in the efforts 
to evade the law by packing and shipping at night from 
lonely sidings, and, as alledged, by false billings. 

A number of these cars have been attached as imma- 
ture, the necessary evidence obtained of their being 
shipped '^'Keleased, Vents Closed and Plugs In," and full 
information forwarded to the National authorities and 
to the consignee. It is believed that this practice will 
cease when found unprofitable' and liable to end in con- 
viction and punishment. 

With the active co-operation, now assured, of the 
National authorities, and the various states that have 
adopted the Florida standard, and the fact that numer- 
ous Boards of Trade, Chambers of Commerce and other 
trade organizations are now refusing to accept delivery 
of citrus fruit, foreign or domestic, that does not meet 
the national standard, there is reason to believe that the 
effort of the honest grower and shipper of citrus fruit to 
prevent the violation of the laws of the State and Nation 
will be accomplished. 

R E. EOSE. 



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